Evaluation of Yellow Perch Grow-out in a 19 o C RAS Gregory Fischer, Chris Hartleb, James Held, Kendall Holmes, Sarah Kaatz, & Jeff Malison.

Evaluation of Yellow Perch Grow-out in a Evaluation of Yellow Perch Grow-out in a 1919ooC RASC RAS

Gregory Fischer, Chris Hartleb, James Held, Kendall Holmes, Sarah Kaatz, & Gregory Fischer, Chris Hartleb, James Held, Kendall Holmes, Sarah Kaatz, & Jeff MalisonJeff Malison

Yellow Perch are an important commercially raised coolwater fish in the Midwest

Raised for food markets and stocking uses in outdoor ponds and recirculating water systems

Fillet prices range from $18.70 to $37.40/kg depending on market

Market size within 12 months is desirable

Issues with initial larvae feeding for commercial rearing in RAS

Issues with cold water temperatures during winter for outdoor rearing in ponds

HISTORYHISTORY

Conduct pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of combining Conduct pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of combining early outdoor pond rearing with indoor RAS for yellow perch grow-early outdoor pond rearing with indoor RAS for yellow perch grow-out to meet the needs of the food fish market. out to meet the needs of the food fish market.

NADF acquired Lake Mendota strain, pond raised, feed trained, NADF acquired Lake Mendota strain, pond raised, feed trained, fingerling (avg127 mm) yellow perch (monosex female and mixed fingerling (avg127 mm) yellow perch (monosex female and mixed sex). sex).

Project conducted inside main AquaticProject conducted inside main Aquatic Barn in Bayfield, WisconsinBarn in Bayfield, Wisconsin

Materials and MethodsMaterials and Methods

49,394 L(13,000gal)Grow-out system consisted of:

Culture tanks:Four 1.4m³ (1,500L) (400 gal)Two 5.7 m³ (5,693 L)(1,500 gal)Two 10.8 m³(10,757L)(2,800 gal)

Drum filter, fluidized sand biofilter, carbon dioxide stripping column w/fan, oxygen cone and UV treatment unit.

Average water flow was 1,480L/min.

Replacement water 4.7L/min (<1% Total Flow)

Materials and MethodsMaterials and Methods

Materials and MethodsMaterials and Methods

Tanks were partially covered with foam board

Fish were fed Nelson Silver cup extruded feed (46% protein, 16% lipid) daily with automatic vibratory feeders

Photoperiod was controlled by timers and lights to provide12-16 hours daily

Tanks were cleaned and monitored daily

Dissolved oxygen (mg/L), temperature (ºC), and total dissolved gases (%) were measured daily in each tank (Common Sensing Model TBO-DL6F Gas Meter, Common Sensing Inc., ID).

pH was monitored daily in each tank (Pinpoint pH meter, American Marine Inc, CT).

Ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N), nitrite-nitrogen (NO2-N), and reactive phosphorous (PO4) were measured (CEL 850 Hach Test Kit, Hach Inc., CO) weekly from water samples collected in the RAS sump according to standard water quality methods (APHA, 1989).

Yellow perch length and weights were measured monthly by obtaining 50 randomly sampled trout from each tank.

Materials and MethodsMaterials and Methods

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ResultsResultsMixed Sex Yellow Perch Water Quality and MortalityMixed Sex Yellow Perch Water Quality and Mortality

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ResultsResultsMonosex Female Yellow Perch Water Quality and MortalityMonosex Female Yellow Perch Water Quality and Mortality

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ResultsResultsMeasured Ammonia-nitrogen (NHMeasured Ammonia-nitrogen (NH33-N) and Nitrite-nitrogen (NO-N) and Nitrite-nitrogen (NO22-N) in -N) in

the Yellow Perch RAS systemthe Yellow Perch RAS system

Results-Fish PerformanceResults-Fish Performance

Lake Mendota Yellow Perch Mixed Sex and Mono-Sex Lake Mendota Yellow Perch Mixed Sex and Mono-Sex Monthly Length IncreaseMonthly Length Increase

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Results-Fish PerformanceResults-Fish Performance

Lake Mendota Yellow Perch Mixed Sex and Mono-sexLake Mendota Yellow Perch Mixed Sex and Mono-sexMonthly Weight IncreaseMonthly Weight Increase

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Results-Fish PerformanceResults-Fish Performance

Condition factors were considered excellent for both groups (monosex fish were 1.412 and 1.393 for mixed sex fish)

Filet yield averaged 47.8% for all groups

Tank densities at harvest were 26kg/m³ for mixed sex fish and 44kg/m³ for monosex fish

Total mortality was 28% for mixed sex fish and 0.6% for monosex fish

Results-Estimated Production CostsResults-Estimated Production Costs

Calculated system operating cost without capitol cost was $2,179/month based on Calculated system operating cost without capitol cost was $2,179/month based on commercial utility rates ($0.08/kw/hr) and estimated labor.commercial utility rates ($0.08/kw/hr) and estimated labor.

The actual operating cost at NADF was $1,432/month based on an electrical rate of The actual operating cost at NADF was $1,432/month based on an electrical rate of $0.04/kw/hr.$0.04/kw/hr.

This translates into $0.183/L and approximately $3,940 for 6.3 months of operation for This translates into $0.183/L and approximately $3,940 for 6.3 months of operation for two 10,757 L (10.8 mtwo 10,757 L (10.8 m33 )tanks. )tanks.

Total of 919 kg of feed at an average cost of $970 ($1.06/kg) was used during the Total of 919 kg of feed at an average cost of $970 ($1.06/kg) was used during the study.study.

Total estimated production costs, not including capital & fingerling cost, was $4,910.Total estimated production costs, not including capital & fingerling cost, was $4,910.

Based on a market value of $5.50/kg(2.50/lb), the total approximate value of yellow Based on a market value of $5.50/kg(2.50/lb), the total approximate value of yellow perch raised in the system was $5,550perch raised in the system was $5,550..

Conclusion

Lake Mendota mono-sex female yellow perch can potentially outperform Lake Mendota mixed sex yellow perch in a 19ºC water RAS.

127 mm(5inch) fall pond fingerlings can be finished successfully for market in approximately 190 days in a indoor RAS system.

Additional research and replicated studies are needed to further investigate grow-out of various strains of yellow perch in RAS and the cost effectiveness of such systems.

We thank Peter Fritch of Rushing Waters Trout Farm for his involvement and interest in this project. Jeff Taylor and Nate Wendt of Star Prairie Trout Farms were also helpful

throughout this project and provided important information regarding fish production and processing. We would also like to acknowledge the efforts of technicians Kendall

Holmes, Dan Duffy, and summer interns Abby Purdy and Ryan Huber at the UWSP-NADF for fish rearing and data collection. Steve Summerfelt of Freshwater Institute

provided valuable review comments and technical assistance.

This project was supported by NADF base funding. Mention of trade name, proprietary product, or specific equipment does not constitute a guarantee or warranty and does not

imply approval to the exclusion of other products that may be suitable.

Acknowledgements

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Contact Information:Gregory Fischer, Facility [email protected]

NADF Webpage:http://aquaculture.uwsp.edu